Rhetoric & Writing at Michigan State University
East Lansing, MI · Public · Bachelor's Degree · Rhetoric and Composition/Writing Studies
DegreeOutlook Score (Base Case) — assumes in-state tuition
38
Optimistic
37
Base Case
31
Pessimistic
Earnings
$33,401/yr (13% vs median)
AI Risk
Very High (62% exposed)
Job Market
Large (48,200 openings/yr)
ROI
9.3x earnings multiple (3.4x out-of-state)
How AI Changes the Outlook
Three scenarios based on how aggressively AI disrupts the career paths available to Rhetoric & Writing graduates.
| Optimistic No Disruption |
Base Case Gradual AI |
Pessimistic Aggressive AI |
|
|---|---|---|---|
| 10-Year Earnings | $614K | $597K | $532K |
| Earnings Multiple (In-State) | 9.6x | 9.3x | 8.3x |
| Earnings Multiple (Out-of-State) | 3.5x | 3.4x | 3.1x |
| Probability of Field Employment | 49% | 42% | 29% |
| DegreeOutlook Score | 38 | 37 | 31 |
10-Year Earnings Projection
*Year 1 uses actual reported earnings. Scenarios diverge as AI impact compounds over time.
4-Year Tuition, In-State (Sticker)
$63,952
Out-of-state: $173,488 (3.4x ROI)
Median Debt at Graduation
$24,360
8.8 months of Year 1 earnings
Reported Earnings (5 Year)
$62,048
86% growth from Year 1
About Michigan State University
With 84% of applicants admitted, Michigan State University prioritizes broad access, with 40,243 students enrolled in East Lansing, MI.
See all programs and financial aid at Michigan State University →Top Career Paths
Technical writers
$91,670/yr
Postsecondary teachers, all other
$78,490/yr
English language and literature teachers, postsecondary
$78,270/yr
Compare & Explore
Rhetoric & Writing at Other Schools
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Consider the Trade Route?
Trade programs often mean less time in school, lower student debt, and hands-on career paths that tend to be more resilient to AI disruption.
Frequently Asked Questions
How does Michigan State University's Rhetoric & Writing program score?
This program scores 37/100 — on the lower end for Rhetoric & Writing. Prospective students should carefully weigh costs against likely earnings.
How vulnerable is Rhetoric & Writing to AI automation?
AI won't 'replace' Rhetoric & Writing careers outright, but it is likely to reduce the number of job openings. We model 62% task exposure, which compresses field employment probability in our scenarios.
Why does Michigan State University rank so high for Rhetoric & Writing?
The #27 ranking out of 121 programs is driven by strong financial outcomes — graduates earn well, debt is manageable relative to income, and the job market supports the field.
Scores use College Scorecard earnings, BLS employment projections, and AI task-exposure research.
See full methodology →